INTERLAKEN means between the lakes, and is the name of a village in Switzerland. It is situated between two lakes called Thun and Brienz. All you geography scholars will be able to turn to it in your minds, or if not so, on your maps. The village is in a plain and on the river Aare, and you have in the picture a view of the bridge across the river. The people who live at Interlaken lead quite uneventful lives, gaining the means of living by carving toys in all sorts of quaint devices, which are sold in the shops which line the principal streets. The wonderful scenery brings large numbers of visitors to the place, and these visitors are the purchasers of the curiosities of the shops.
Large quantities of Swiss lace and Swiss carving find its way to the United States in the trunks of American travellers; and I have no doubt that when you visit Europe you will bring away a quantity of the work of these same Interlaken lace-makers and carvers. However you may set your face against the folly, you will be sure to find some things which you must have.
INTERLAKEN.
The scenery in this valley is among the finest in Switzerland. From the windows of some of the pensions or boarding-houses, you may get a view of the celebrated "Jungfrau." Do you know that Jungfrau means "the maiden?" There seems to be a dispute as to the origin of the name. Some say it was given to this lofty peak because of the spotless purity of appearance on account of the unsullied snow which always covers its summit. The view which you get of the Jungfrau at Interlaken is through an opening in the range of lower mountains that lie at the base of the grand old mountain itself, which is nearly fourteen thousand feet high. I believe that the first to reach the top was a party of natives of the valley, in 1828.
Soon after a scientific expedition, accompanied by the renowned Agassiz, made the ascent. You will find within a few miles of the village of Interlaken many points of wild and picturesque beauty, and you will want to visit the waterfall Staubbach, which means "sky born," and is one of the highest in Europe.
[WHITE AND CLEAN.]
"C-H-E-S-T-E-R!" It was his mother's voice, and it rang out from her room in the second story. "Only half an hour until school-time."
"Yes'm," shouted Chester. "I'll be there." But he bent over the tub and rubbed Sport so fiercely that he howled.
"Keep still, sir," said Chester. "A dog who can't stand being washed shouldn't have white feet and a white nose; I'm not going to have you trotting around looking so horrid dirty as you have for a week. Look here, sir; don't you try to bite me. If you do, you'll get a whipping. I'm in a hurry."